Mezcal Vago Espadin by Emigdio Jarquin 750ML

Mezcal Vago Espadin by Emigdio Jarquin 750ML is a 100% Espadin agave mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, bottled at approximately 50.3% ABV (varies by batch). It earned Double Gold and "Best Mezcal" at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, followed by "Best Mezcal in the World" at the 2020 World Tequila and Mezcal Awards — a remarkable streak that placed this village-produced spirit on the international stage.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~50.3% (batch-dependent)  |  Origin: Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz, Oaxaca, Mexico  |  100% Espadin (Agave Angustifolia)  |  Mezcalero: Emigdio Jarquin

Production & Heritage

Emigdio Jarquin produces this mezcal in the El Nanche district of Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz, Oaxaca, at roughly 4,970 feet elevation. Mature Agave Angustifolia (Espadin) is pit-roasted, then crushed by tahona before fermentation and distillation in a copper refrescadera still — a technique traditional to the Miahuatlán region. The refrescadera method essentially achieves two distillations in a single pass through the still, concentrating flavor while preserving the mineral and floral character of the raw agave. Mezcal Vago partners directly with independent mezcaleros like Jarquin, meaning each batch reflects a specific person, place, and harvest rather than a factory standard.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Wild flowers and fresh-cut agave lead, followed by toasted sugar, honey, and a thread of wet stone minerality. A delicate mint-like freshness lingers behind the primary sweetness.

Taste: The entry is rich with butter and white sugar before roasted bell peppers, cracked peppercorn, and a squeeze of lime emerge at the mid-palate. Tropical fruit — pineapple, clementine, mango — rounds out the peak alongside a restrained but unmistakable smokiness. Despite the roughly 50% ABV, the balance is exceptional; the proof integrates seamlessly.

Finish: Long and warming, with minerals, salt, a touch of dark chocolate, and lingering char. Suggestions of smoke close out the experience without overwhelming the layered sweetness that came before.

How to Drink Vago Espadin

Neat in a copita or wide-rimmed glass is the ideal starting point — a few drops of water can open up the floral and tropical fruit notes. The 50% ABV also makes this a powerful cocktail anchor. In a Mezcal Negroni, the roasted pepper and minerality stand up to Campari's bitterness beautifully. A Naked and Famous (equal parts mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, lime) highlights the citrus and tropical dimension. For a simpler serve, a Mezcal Paloma with grapefruit soda lets the smoke and salt character shine through effervescence.

Best For

• Introducing a serious spirits drinker to artisanal mezcal
• Building a mezcal collection with a benchmark Espadin expression
• Crafting spirit-forward cocktails that demand structure and smoke
• Gifting a tequila enthusiast ready to explore mezcal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vago Espadin taste like? It delivers toasted sugar, roasted bell pepper, cracked peppercorn, and tropical fruit layered over a restrained smokiness, with a long mineral and salt finish. The balance between sweetness and smoke is the defining characteristic.

How does Vago Espadin compare to Del Maguey Vida? Del Maguey Vida is often cited as a gateway mezcal with a smoother, more approachable profile at a lower ABV (42%). Vago Espadin by Emigdio Jarquin runs at roughly 50% ABV with noticeably more mineral complexity, roasted pepper character, and a longer finish, reflecting its refrescadera distillation and single-mezcalero production.

Is Vago Espadin good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the roughly 50% ABV is remarkably well-integrated, and neat sipping reveals the full spectrum of floral, mineral, and tropical fruit notes that lighter-proof mezcals often lose. A few drops of water can soften the heat if needed.

Where is Vago Espadin made? It is produced by mezcalero Emigdio Jarquin in the El Nanche district of Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz, Oaxaca, Mexico, at approximately 4,970 feet elevation in the southern Sierra Madre mountains.

What foods pair well with Vago Espadin? Grilled corn with cotija cheese and chili lime complements the smoke and salt. Ceviche or aguachile plays off the citrus and mineral notes. Dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the finish. Roasted pork with mole negro echoes the pepper and char. Fresh tropical fruit — mango or pineapple — amplifies the spirit's fruity mid-palate.

What sizes does Vago Espadin come in? The standard bottle size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Vago Espadin worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium artisanal mezcal — above everyday mixing mezcals but accessible for its category. The combination of multiple international awards (including Double Gold at SFWSC and a 94-point rating from Tastings.com), single-mezcalero production, and traditional refrescadera distillation represents strong value relative to other small-batch Oaxacan expressions.

Why Vago Espadin?

The refrescadera distillation method sets this apart from the majority of Espadin mezcals on the market, achieving a concentration of flavor in a single pass that most copper pot stills require two separate runs to accomplish. Back-to-back top honors — Double Gold at SFWSC in 2019, Best Mezcal in the World in 2020, 93 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2022, and 94 points from Tastings.com in 2023 — confirm consistency across batches, not a one-off victory. Emigdio Jarquin's high-elevation production site in El Nanche contributes a mineral backbone that differentiates this Espadin from lower-altitude versions of the same agave. For anyone building a mezcal library or stepping beyond entry-level bottles, this is a proven benchmark.